South Delta contingent involved in Metro Theatre pantomime production

A handful of South Deltans are involved in bringing a pantomime version of the classic Robin Hood story to the Metro Theatre stage this holiday season.

Robin Hood and Marion kicks off next week at the Vancouver theatre and Tsawwassen’s Cameron Thomson, 20, is having fun with the titular Robin Hood role. He calls playing the “merriest of merry men” a great experience.

He’s brought his fencing acumen to the production and also worked on choreographing his own fight scenes.

“I provided the stance and some moves, both offensive and defensive, that medieval duelers might have made in a sword fight,” he explains, noting the final product was reached with a collaborative effort by himself and a couple cast mates.

Thomson became interested in fencing when he was 12 and heard about a local class. He says he enjoys the action and the people and notes there’s a lot of finesse involved in the sport.

Thomson has stage acting experience from his time at South Delta Secondary, including playing the role of Beast in Beauty and the Beast and the King of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland.

Thomson adds that coming to Metro Theatre’s Christmas pantomimes was a long-standing tradition in his family and now being a part of it himself, he hopes to inspire other families to add this to their holiday routine.

Tsawwassen’s Kenzie Peters is the musical director for Metro’s holiday pantomime for the second year in a row.

“A few years ago I was involved with shows mostly as a performer, but for a while now I’ve been doing contracts on the other side of the stage,” she says. “Musical directing allows me to focus exclusively on my passion – music.”

Peters, who spent time at the Berklee College of Music, now works fulltime at a Surrey church’s music department where a band she manages was recently nominated for a Covenant Award for Best Children’s Album of The Year. Ladner resident Catherine Morrison is directing Robin Hood and Marion.

“It is great to re-tell an old legend for a new generation,” she says, adding the tale still has resonance today.

Technical director and set and lighting designer Les Erskine lives in Ladner while former Ladner resident Tracy-Lynn Chernaske served as set decorator, painter and photographer.

Robin Hood and Marion runs from Thursday, Dec. 15 to Saturday, Jan. 7 at Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver. Show times are either 2 or 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $27 for adults, $24 for seniors/students and $17 for children 12 and under. For tickets call the box office at 604-266-7191 or visit metrotheatre.com.